Whitley Bay (Away): NL Division 1: Saturday 27th Aug 2011

Result: Whitley Bay 4 Marske United 0     Scorer: -

Whitley enjoyed a comfortable win over newly promoted Marske with two goals each from Paul Chow and Phil Bell and as a result they moved up to second place in the table.

The first half hour was evenly contested but once Whitley took the lead, Marske heads dropped and the result was never in doubt, with Whitley achieving their first win over the Teessiders at Hillheads in five attempts.

David Pounder was unavailable for Bay while Callum Anderson was not fully fit and was rested, with Brian Smith coming into the side in the centre of defence. Adam Wheatley returned for Marske who got the nod ahead of John Seaton, but the travelling Seasiders were still unable to call upon the experienced trio of Mark Taylor, Anthony Ormerod and Benn Thompson.

In the early exchanges, Whitley were first to get an effort on target, Gary Ormston’s header from Robbie Dale’s cross being comfortably held by Jonathan McDonald. Damon Robson’s cross was just too high for Paul Chow while at the other end, Marske’s first attempt on goal came from Steve Cochrane in the sixth minute but the ball went just wide.

Former Newcastle United midfielder Paul Robinson was looking lively for Whitley and after providing a ball for Dale which nearly brought the breakthrough, he tried a shot from 20 yards which was only inches wide of the upright with McDonald beaten.

Midway through the half, Karl Charlton had Marske’s best chance, heading over the bar from Wheatley’s right wing cross. Meanwhile Robinson and McFarlane both kept up the pressure on the visitors’ goal and in the 32nd minute, Robinson surged into the penalty area before going to ground under a challenge from Wheatley. The referee awarded a penalty which seemed a rather harsh decision and led to protests from the Marske players. With regular penalty taker Lee Kerr on the bench, Robbie Dale stepped up to take the kick but struck the ball too close to McDonald, who blocked the shot. However, Paul Chow was quick to react as the ball ran loose and he calmly side stepped McDonald before putting the ball into the net for what was his first goal of the season.

Whitley stepped up a gear after this success and four minutes later only a fine fingertip save by McDonald kept out a powerful shot from Robinson. From the resultant corner, Brian Smith headed over the bar.

Just a minute before half time, Whitley doubled their lead when Dale’s accurate crossfield pass picked out Chow near the by line on the right of goal. Chow headed the ball back across goal where both Smith and Lee Scroggins attempted but failed to make proper contact and with the keeper off balance, Phil Bell’s mis-hit shot in front of goal found the back of the net.

Half-time:  Whitley Bay 2 v 0 Marske United

While Whitley’s first half performance may not have merited a two goal advantage, it had the effect of leaving Marske deflated and the second half saw Whitley in complete control.

Two minutes before the hour mark, Bell's glancing header from Ormston’s cross made it 3-0 and two minutes later, McFarlane’s throw in on the left was played on to Chow who rifled home a great 20 yard shot which gave McDonald no chance.

With the game won, both goal scorers were substituted as the rest of the game was played like a practice match, with Whitley playing some neat possession football while Marske offered little threat. Whitley took the opportunity to give 17 year old Kyle Downey his first taste of Northern League football, following some impressive displays in pre season and also for the reserves.

Former Blyth man Dale frustrated the visitors defence with some clever close control of the ball followed by pin point passes, one of which led to a shot from Scroggins which cleared the bar.

With 15 minutes to go, Marske substitute Danny Brunskill brought a low save from Kyle Hayes, who was having a quiet game in the Bay goal. Eight minutes from time, Jonathan Burton volleyed straight at Hayes but that was about as good as it got for the Teessiders on a day when their manager admitted that his team appeared overawed by the occasion.

Full-time:  Whitley Bay 4 v 0 Marske United

Whether the same will apply next week when the sides meet again at Hillheads, this time in the FA Cup, remains to be seen, but while their confidence will be boosted by this success, in which every member of the side contributed, Whitley would do well to take nothing for granted. Marske will certainly feel they have something to prove after such a disappointing display.

Teams:

Whitley Bay: Hayes, Ormston, McFarlane, Smith, Scroggins, Williams, Robson, Bell (Rowe), Chow (Downey), Dale, Robinson (Kerr).  Not used: Timmons, Anderson.

Marske United:  McDonald, Donachie, Gamble, Gell, Roberts, Wheatley, J.Burton, Cochrane (Robson), Skelton (Brunskill), McGill, Charlton (Seaton).  Not Used:  Bradley, Taylor.

Attendance:  492

Referee: Barry Gordon (Birtley)